The Netherlands: A Clockwork Oranje

Oranje

I was not much of a dutch fan, not until the last Euro where I saw them tear away both Italy and France from the group of death, the flamboyance of their game was there to be seen. I was totally amazed by the team. To be precise they were slick, fast and productive. I have been a Gunner fan all my life and that Dutch team and their style of play really reminded me of Arsenal’s philosophy of beautiful game.

They also do believe that attack is the best form of defense. And who can forget Rinus Michels and his total footballing Dutch squad. It was like a revelation to the footballing world. They really put to display everything good and beautiful about the game. But the appalling fact is that they have never won the world till now. I mean a country who has given so much to the footballing world and has been represented by so many greats such as Cruyff, Basten, Bergkamp, Gullit, Overmars, Koeman hasn’t lifted this glorious trophy …that surely doesn’t serve them right.

Holland will like always go into the world cup boasting about the quality of their attack. They have players who have the capacity of turning the game around single handedly but I guess this is the thing they would be looking to escape…i.e. individualism…I mean its but natural for a team like Holland with players of the might of Sneijder, Van der vaart, Robben, Persie, Babel, Kuyt to go out of the way and be a little narrow minded aiming for personal glory.

Wesley Sneijder will play an important part in the fluid attacking moves of the Dutch.

Sometimes it does fire like the last game they played against Hungary; they won it quite easily at the end by a humbling score line of 6-1. But the worrying thing was that at least half of the goals were solo efforts. And the other time when the attack is not as cohesive and coordinating as they would like, they indulge in selfish approach playing for themselves trying to turn the game around, and these times they don’t look the clinical passing, total footballing dutch team but a bunch of foolish glory hunters…agreed they are impressive while attacking but each of them needs to keep their head on their shoulder so as to defy the odds against them and be worthy winners of the trophy playing FOR the team.

On the other hand there is their defense which the coach will be worrying about. I mean they are neither strong on the paper nor on the pitch with an aging backline consisting of captain Giovanni, Oijer, Mathijsen plus not a much recognized defense, the goalkeepers are still a worry after the retirement of grand old man of Dutch football Van Der Sar. They do look shaky. They will be hoping that their attack balances it out. Despite everything about the pros and cons about their game there is still that may provide hindrance for them…the image of chokers at biggest stage.

These are facts..lost consecutively in two world cup finals despite having it all to go all the way…losing their way with a great squad in the semi finals against the Brazilians in 94, failing to qualify for the last one.Volatility, instability have been the main cause. Netherlands can be deadly and lethal; no doubts about it …they have a raging squad to do it for them. But like the CLASSIC CASE of Dr Jekyll and Hyde. They have to choose their role. Whether they wish to be mild Jekyll or homicidal Hyde. It would be a pity if they don’t win the trophy this time. And if they don’t them would need to blame themselves rather than anybody else…